Funny Motivation: 5 MORE Great Motivational Songs From 80s Movies

Could you use a little shot of “Motivational Smartassery” now that the holidays are over? If so, you’re in luck!

A few weeks ago I posted, 5 Great Motivational Songs From 80’s Movies. Since then, people have pointed out to me some other great songs and I also happened to remember a few more.

So, since it’s the start of the new year and I am sure everyone can use a motivational kick in the pants to not drop their resolutions on day 13, here are 5 more great motivational songs from 80s movies:

The Touch

Movie: Transformers (the 80s cartoon, not the new live action one)
Artist: Stan Bush

You’re at your best when when the goin’ gets rough
You’ve been put to the test, but it’s never enough

You got the touch
You got the power

I absolutely can not believe I left this off of the first list. This is not just a great “motivational song,” this is not just a great song “from an 80s movie,” and this is not just a great song “from a cartoon.” This is a great song, period. End of discussion. That’s it. This is music gold.

And it is an awesome motivational song. It has everything you want in motivational music: Heavy beat. Gratuitous screaming. And cliches. Oh, the cliches! Every single line in this song is designed for one purpose: to pump you up!

And if you’ve seen the movie (I have, and am not ashamed to admit it) the song is even more awesome, ’cause it’s used in the best scene from the whole flick. Optimus Prime basically kicks all the Decepticons’ butts himself.

It’s not that it’s good. It’s that it’s soooo good…

(Oooh, I get chills just watching the opening…)

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
You got the touch
You got the power

You know that when things get too tough
You got the touch

Wikipedia Trivia Note: “Transformers: The Movie” is the last film Orson Welles worked on. Welles wrote, directed, and starred in what is often considered the greatest movie of all time, and his last flick was “Transformers.” He told his biographer, “You know what I did this morning? I played the voice of a toy.” Nice.

I Need a Hero

Movie: Footloose
Artist: Bonnie Tyler

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

To be fair, this isn’t lyrically a very motivational song. The entire premise of the song is that Bonnie Tyler is hanging around waiting for a hero to come along. That’s not motivational, that’s flat out disempowering. If it was motivational she would be out there doing her own thing. Or at least going out and actively finding a hero, not just “holding out” for one. I’m sure modern day women must love the sentiment in this song.

No, it’s not the lyrics. The motivational element in this song comes from two places:

1. The music, which is awesome
2. The fact that all us men fully believe that we are that hero

So ladies, you may want to pass on this one. Though for your viewing pleasure, I did include the clip from Footloose so you can enjoy looking at Kevin Bacon (song starts at 1:45):

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ’til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life

Wikipedia Trivia Note: The role of Ariel, played in Footloose by Lori “don’t call me the Beastmaster’s sister” Singer was offered to Daryl Hannah, Elizabeth McGovern, Melanie Griffith, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosanna Arquette, Meg Tilly, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Heather Locklear, Meg Ryan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jodie Foster, Phoebe Cates, Tatum O’Neal, Bridget Fonda, Lori Loughlin, Diane Lane and Brooke Shields. They all turned it down. Amazingly, as successful as Footloose was, looking at their careers, you kind of have to say they all made the right choice.

On Our Own

Movie: Ghostbusters 2
Artist: Bobbie Brown

Now I find out that nothing is given
Don’t know where the cards may fall
All I know is that we’ve gotta get it
We’ve gotta make it on our own

This is easily the song I am most embarrassed to feature on either this list or the original. But hey, I’m secure enough to admit it: I dig this song. Frankly, looking back on the 80s and early 90s, I guess I’d have to say I like a lot of Bobby Brown songs. There’s a thought that’s going to keep me up at night.

From a motivational stand point, I like songs where the singer basically says, “whatever, I’ll do it myself.” Even if that is a Bobby Brown song featured in an awful sequel to one of the best comedies ever.

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
Now can’t you see that all we need to be a go-getter
Gotta make your own decisions, you gotta go for what ya know
It comes a time in our lives, you wanna be bigger
Gotta keep, keep on pushing, you gotta learn to take control, yeah

Wikipedia Trivia Note: One time a friend made a movie reference I didn’t catch, and when I asked he said, “it’s from Ghostbusters 2!” as if I clearly should have known that. I’m not saying we’re not friends anymore, but I’m also not saying we are. I know this is neither from Wikipedia nor any trivia you would care to know, but I feel there’s a lesson here: incredulity has its limits; being unbelieving that someone didn’t catch a Ghostbusters 2 reference is clearly beyond that limit.

Winner Takes It All

Movie: Over The Top
Artist: Sammy Hagar

‘Cause the winner takes it all
Loser takes a fall
Fight to the beginning of the end
Winner takes it all
‘Till he breaks the fall
In time he’ll make it over the top

Here’s another truly awesome song I am ashamed I left off the first list. Terrible movie, but an awesome song.

Whatever success this movie had it came from two sources:

1. The awesomitude that is this song. There have definitely been movies where a song has driven ticket sales. This is one.
2. Stallone. If there’s one thing Stallone could do, it was make ridiculously awesome 80’s movies. Rocky III & IV, the Rambos…and Over the Top. It’s a movie about arm wrestling! Who else could have pulled that off?? Maybe Schwarzenneger. Maybe…

How awesome would a Sammy Hagar led Van Halen cover of this song be? (Heck, for all I know they’ve done that in concert)

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
Hey
You listen when I say
There’s a dream
Oh that’s comin’ true today yeah
Never turn away
When the challenge is alive
The choice is yours to make
In every chance you take

Wikipedia Trivia Note: This is the opening line of the Wikipedia entry for Over the Top: “Over the Top is a 1987 dramatic film.” Dramatic film? That’s like saying MTV’s Jersey Shore is a documentary.

Flashdance…What A Feeling

Movie: Flashdance
Artist: Irene Cara

What a feeling, bein’s believin’
I can’t have it all, now I’m dancin’ for my life
Take your passion, and make it happen
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

I’ll be honest: I have not actually seen Flashdance. Sure, I know it’s about a steel worker who dances and has dreams about a better life or something and who I think occasionally dumps water on herself while dancing like a stripper. But I haven’t seen it.

I have, however, heard “What a Feeling,” many, many times. You have to admit that if there’s a song written purely to motivate, this is it. From the uplifting music, to Irene Cara’s passion, to the very inspirational lyrics, this really is the motivational speaker’s theme song.

What it lacks in “awesome pumpitude” it more than makes up for in “utter upliftingness.” I may not throw this song onto the MP3 player when I’m getting ready for a set of heavy squats, but it’s a hell of a great song to listen to when I’m feeling down.

Bonus Motivational Lyrics:
First, when there’s nothing but a slow glowing dream
That your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind
All alone I have cried silent tears full of pride
In a world made of steel, made of stone

Well I hear the music, close my eyes, feel the rhythm
Wrap around, take a hold of my heart

Wikipedia Trivia Note: Another famous song from Flashdance was Michael Sembello’s “Maniac.” That song was inspired by the 1980 horror movie “Maniac.” It was originally written about an actual maniac – that kind that goes around killing people. They changed the lyrics to be less…er…stabby. For example, the lines, “She’s a maniac, maniac on the floor / And she’s dancing like she’s never danced before,” were originally, “He’s a maniac, maniac that’s for sure / He will kill your cat and nail him to the door.” Yup, that was Sembello’s original vision: “kill your cat and nail him to the door.” Astonishing that he never had a follow up hit…

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By Avish Parashar. As the world's only Motivational Improviser, Avish uses techniques from the world of improv comedy to engage, entertain, and educate audiences on ideas around change, creativity, and motivation. Connect with Avish on Google+

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